Tank insert with a sensor unit

Abstract

A sensor unit (3) insertable into a sensor receptacle (2, 23) of a tank insert (1), has at east one sensor (8), especially a pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of a tank. In addition, the sensor includes connecting means (9), and is sealed off in the installed state by sealing means (11) and is secured by fastening means (7, 30). The components of the sensor are combined with its connecting and sealing means to form an assembly that can be inserted preassembled into the sensor receptacle (2, 23) and secured therein with sealing. In one version a retaining body (12) and in another version a housing (22) constitute the combining structural element that secures the sensor (8) indirectly in the tank insert (1).

I claim: 
     
       1. Tank insert with a sensor unit comprising: at least one sensor which detects tank internal pressure;   connecting means for making electrical connection to the sensor unit;   sealing means for sealing the sensor unit to the tank insert; and   fastening means for holding the sensor unit in a sensor receptacle of the tank insert;   wherein the sensor unit is combined with the connecting means and the sealing means to form an assembly insertable preassembled into the sensor receptacle and fastened therein.   
     
     
       2. Tank insert according to claim 1, wherein said sensor unit comprises a retaining body that combines said sensor and said connecting means to form said assembly for insertion into said sensor receptacle, said retaining body covering said sensor receptacle externally. 
     
     
       3. Tank insert according to claim 2, wherein said retaining body includes a plug projection for said sensor, and has a bottom which supports said plug projection and a lateral boundary that projects therefrom, said retaining body including fastening means formed thereon; and wherein said sensor is insertable into a space surrounded by the bottom and the boundary of said retaining body, and said connection is insertable into said plug projection of the bottom of said retaining body.   
     
     
       4. Tank insert according to claim 2, wherein said retaining body comprises fastening means that secure said sensor releasably and in shapewise fashion. 
     
     
       5. Tank insert according to claim 1, wherein said sensor receptacle has fastening means that secure said sensor unit releasably and in shapewise fashion. 
     
     
       6. Tank insert according to claim 5, wherein said sensor receptacle comprises a bottom provided with at least one opening, and elastic clip hooks distributed around a circumference of said receptacle to serve as a lateral boundary of said receptacle, said hooks projecting freely from said bottom. 
     
     
       7. Tank insert according to claim 4, wherein said releasable shapewise fastening means have the form of latching noses or clip hooks. 
     
     
       8. Tank insert according to claim 1, wherein said sensor unit plus said sealing means form a pressure-tight lid for an opening of tank insert, and said pressure tight lid terminates in said sensor receptacle. 
     
     
       9. Tank insert according to claim 1, wherein said sensor receptacle is a simple recess, and said sensor unit comprises an insert and a tight lid for said recess and a housing which is in contact on a bottom side of said recess for receiving a parameter to be sensed. 
     
     
       10. Tank insert according to claim 9, wherein said housing comprises a bottom cup, a plug connection for said connecting means, and a housing lid that supports said plug projection, wherein said bottom cup and said housing lid enclose a sensor between them. 
     
     
       11. Tank insert according to claim 10, wherein said bottom cup and said housing lid are welded pressure-tight to one another with a weld seam. 
     
     
       12. Tank insert according to claim 10, wherein said connecting means are operative in shapewise fashion and are provided between said bottom cup and said housing lid. 
     
     
       13. Tank insert according to claim 1, further comprising elastic means, wherein said sensor is secured with zero play in said sensor unit by said elastic means. 
     
     
       14. Tank insert according to claim 11, wherein said sensor unit is connected nonreleasably with the sensor receptacle. 
     
     
       15. Tank insert according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       16. Tank insert according to claim 9, wherein said parameter is a pressure, and said recess has at least one opening to receive said parameter. 
     
     
       17. Tank insert according to claim 11, wherein said seam is a friction-welding seam. 
     
     
       18. Tank insert according to claim 13, wherein said elastic means comprises a seal and a sealing ring disposed on opposite sides of said retaining body and in contact with said receptacle. 
     
     
       19. Tank insert according to claim 13, wherein said housing comprises a bottom cup, a plug connection for said connecting means, and a housing lid that supports said plug projection, wherein said bottom cup and said housing lid enclose a sensor between them; and said elastic means comprises an intermediate piece disposed between said sensor and said housing lid, said intermediate piece contacting said receptacle.   
     
     
       20. Tank insert according to claim 17, wherein said sensor unit is connected nonreleasably by welding or gluing with said receptacle.